amyfrances's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:3.5
- Helpful Votes:347
- Reviews Submitted:14
- First Review:June 8, 2013
- Most Recent Review:October 14, 2018
- Featured reviews0
Use new vampire abilities to save your beloved in time!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
I like vampires, and I like this developer
PostedOctober 14, 2018
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
4Friends is one of my favorite developers. It's not that their games are terribly creative, but they are fun with pretty graphics. I liked this game because I do love vampire stories--and I thought this one was pretty creative as it covered vampires, their hunters, and love torn asunder--and I found the tasks enjoyable, if not original. I don't know what it is about 4Friends games that I always like playing their games, but it is so. Perhaps it is a mix of colorful, detailed graphics, some attempt to provide a creative story, and enough tasks that aren't ridiculously simple (though some simple tasks do exist). I also give an extra star to developers that provide the custom option, most importantly, the ability to turn off contextual icons. I don't buy games anymore that don't let me turn that feature off. All in all, a mildly challenging, visually engaging, and fun game.
I recommend this game!
Survive a dangerous game of luck to uncover your past!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
This Is Such a Fun Game
PostedMay 20, 2018
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I love 4Friends games. Whenever I see their logo, I know I'm in for a good time. In this game, the story is original and a lot of fun. The level of challenge is very good. It's not terribly hard (the days of truly challenging games seems to be over, sadly), but it's not overly simple either. I love that I can turn off contextual pointers; I won't buy a game without that feature anymore. The graphics are quite good with enough going on to be interesting. I encourage folks to give it a try.
I recommend this game!
These free TVs may be too good to be true...
Overall rating
3
/
5
32 of 36 found this review helpful
Not a Bad Game But...(Mild spoilers)
PostedMarch 17, 2018
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
This is not a bad game. It's not challenging, though it does have an awesome range of customizable options you can turn off. The plot is nothing I haven't seen before (supernatural, people collapsing/being overcome, spectral fogs and features), but it's a nice soothing game for those looking for the truly casual experience. It's fine for what it is. The main reason I've rated it somewhat low is the tasks are incredibly "been there/done that." All within the first twenty or so minutes: glass shard that needs something to pick it up, HO in a car trunk, digging something up, applying oil to rust, screwing something in, unfriendly cat, long thin object to hook something far away, picking a lock with a hairpin. I wish more developers would stretch a little bit and come up with more interesting/challenging tasks. But if you don't mind that, it's a decent game.
I recommend this game!
A time-traveling killer is taking out the Gray family, one by one.
Overall rating
1
/
5
14 of 18 found this review helpful
This Game is For You if You Love Amulets and Figurines
PostedFebruary 3, 2018
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
95% of this game is finding and placing amulet and figurine keys to open compartments that contain other amulets or figurines. I actually laughed at one point. Is this what passes for clever adventure? Finding shapes that unlock yet more shapes that unlock even more shapes? I have long loved this developer but it is my own fault I bought this tedious, simple, repetitive game. I should know by now that Elephant doesn't develop cool, challenging, beautiful games anymore. Their games are now cookie-cutter, which funnily enough mostly feature cookie cutters. I won't buy another of their games until I see they are capable of originality, as they once were. Very disappointed that I wasted money on this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you stop the Revenant before it's too late?
Overall rating
1
/
5
66 of 72 found this review helpful
Another Lament for the Days of Old
PostedNovember 23, 2017
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I know it's been said a million times, but I really miss the old MCF games. They were challenging, clever, and even humorous. This game is none of these things. It is the same cookie-cutter game Eipix has been churning out for the past few years. None of the tasks are original or the type to make you really think about what to do. The storyline somehow manages to be both convoluted and dull. I will say the graphics are pretty nice and they do a good job setting the scene. When Eipix first appeared, I loved their games. But now, whenever I see the guy in the blue paint, I am disappointed before I even start. I did give this game a try, holding out hope that since it was a MCF game, it would be fun. Wrong.
I don't recommend this game.
A young journalist following a wanted felon chases him to a golden elevator that takes her to other worlds, where huge danger threatens everything.
Overall rating
5
/
5
40 of 50 found this review helpful
Great Game, More of a Challenge
PostedJune 24, 2017
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I adore Mad Head Games--no one can touch them in terms of innovation and storyline (how awesome that they don't always feature a gloomy castle!). But in the past I've found their games not quite challenging enough. You couldn't customize things to be significantly harder--turning off contextual icons, helpful text, things like that. They now have a full complement of choices, including, thank goodness, turning off the obnoxious pop-up objectives that any player worth their salt doesn't need. I can't figure out why more developers don't make that an option. Anyway, the game play is a bit linear, but definitely a lot more fun now that I can up the challenge factor. The story is interesting and the graphics are top notch. There aren't too many (if any) tired devices like endless amulet locks. I hope this developer stays around for a long time--their games are so refreshing. Definitely not the same old, same old.
I recommend this game!
Can you recover your memories and save a missing girl in time?
Overall rating
2
/
5
35 of 42 found this review helpful
I Like This Developer, But....
PostedJune 22, 2017
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
....Mystery Tracker games, for whatever reason, are getting increasingly cookie-cutter and awfully simple. The beginning is so painfully repetitive: a car, a gate, a hidden object search in the car, Elf, muddy palette. And there were so many key amulets in the first 15 minutes of the game! A noticeably high amount. There are other series I like a lot from this developer, but this is no longer one of them. Also: Why oh why do we have to deal with huge objective pop-ups when we're playing on the harder levels (such as no icon changes over active areas)? It seems kind of odd not to be able to turn those off.
I don't recommend this game.
Can you beat the clock and get your life back?
Overall rating
5
/
5
51 of 71 found this review helpful
Finally, A Game Worth Playing!
PostedMarch 4, 2017
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
It's been a long time since I've been excited about a game. The cookie cutter games that now dominate are painfully boring, unoriginal, and far too easy. I love this developer, but in the past I did find their games too easy as well. Some months ago I wrote them wondering if they could have a setting where you turn contextual pointers off (I only buy games with this feature so at least I'm being somewhat challenged). They wrote me a really nice personal response thanking me for my feedback. And lo, in this game you can turn off the contextual pointer! HOORAY! I have always loved this developer's stories. They are truly engaging, feature a diversity of characters, and don't involve a gloomy castle or endlessly re-visited time period. This game is set in the 50's, featuring rock and roll, and you play a male character. In the game, your body is swapped with a mysterious stranger, who you find out is a wanted murderer. A little fantastical, but a great set up to build a little tension.The challenge is still a bit easy, even with the cursor turned off, but the game is just so fun! I highly recommend this game.
I recommend this game!
Can you rescue her from a mysterious monster in time?
Overall rating
1
/
5
67 of 72 found this review helpful
I Just Can't Anymore
PostedFebruary 2, 2017
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I can't do it anymore. I own all the Grim Tales games, some of them better than others, and goodness knows I own countless BFG games in general. I just can't search for one more emblem, deal with one more squirrel, open up one more car to find one more HO. When are game developers going to start making games that are original, challenging (I like really hard games), and don't feature a surfeit of crowbars? The only good thing is this developer allows you to turn off contextual pointers and black bar text, which at least provides some small challenge. I have honestly loved many games over the years, but lately I find myself grimly predicting each and every step of any game and being right 100% of the time.
I don't recommend this game.
You were just about to relax with a good book when a stranger leaves a baby on your doorstep.
Overall rating
5
/
5
6 of 9 found this review helpful
A Great Game, If a Little Easy
PostedOctober 24, 2013
amyfrances
fromSan Francisco, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on the demo.
First, the basics:
*There are four levels of difficulty, the last one you can customize, which I really like. You can turn off sparkles, choose how long the hint and skip features refill, turn off the objectives on the map, and turn off the objectives that pop up in the game. There seems to be a glitch where the last one still pops up even if you turn it off, but maybe that's just me.
*There are achievements (which don't pop up; there is just an indicator when you earn one in the corner of the screen) and collectibles. I won't give away what the latter is because it's fun to find it out by yourself.
*The map is jumpable
*You get a helper friend, which is not my cup of tea.
*There is a locket that needs to have parts returned; it sits in the corner of the screen
*The inventory bar is lockable
The story unfolds slowly; there seems to be several plots. You are a detective who finds a baby on her doorstep. On the way to bringing her home, a mansion appears and you are eventually locked inside. There is a man who needs some kind help, a villain whose motives/actions aren't clear in the beginning, and a woman who popped up through a portal. I like that the story has several working parts and you initially don't quite know what's up.
The graphics are absolutely beautiful and the colors rich.
One of the biggest strengths of the game are the clever puzzles and HOS. For example, one puzzle has you working with two talking faces on a locked door. They ask you to determine who is right in their arguments. Then they make assertions like, "There are xx number of candles in the hall" and you go find all the candles and count them along the way. None of the puzzles are terribly hard, but they are really fun.
One area where this game truly shines are the HOS. While I never truly tire of HOGs, I'm pretty sick of endless HOS or ones that have no interactive features, and I didn't think anything new could be done with them. Not so! There are typical HOS with cool interactions (for example, sometimes when you find items on the list you are simply moving them to find parts for another item), but there are others I really liked. One of them was a stained glass window that at first glance absolutely seemed like it had no items hidden (in this case, the item list were shadows of the items' shapes). The developers *really* hid the items well and I liked the challenge. There are also items to find around the house to unlock a door or complete a picture by finding its fragments.
The one criticism I have is overall it's too easy for me. Items are quickly used, the black bar tips are pretty explanatory, and the objectives super clear. But that might be a benefit to some; it just disappointed me a little. In their last game, the developers had a completely unique and hard feature where you could choose not to have your cursor change. You never know if an item could be used, where items were...it was really challenging and I *loved* it. I've never seen another developer up the challenge that way.
Still, this is a fabulous and truly fun game and it's a definite buy for me.
I recommend this game!